'Mr Fourth Quarter' Irving Praised By Doncic For Clutch Play In Mavericks' Win

Luka Doncic praised Kyrie Irving's performance in clutch situations as the Dallas Mavericks secured a 116-107 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals. This win marked a historic moment as Dallas became the first NBA team to lead a series 3-0 despite trailing in the final five minutes of each game.

During the regular season, the Mavericks boasted the second-best clutch record (23-9) and the highest clutch offence, averaging 127.1 points per 100 possessions. This momentum has carried into the playoffs, with Dallas also overcoming a late deficit in Game 6 of their conference semi-final against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Irving scored 14 points in the fourth quarter of Game 3, bringing his total to 31 points in clutch situations during this series—the highest among all players in this year's conference finals. Doncic commented on Irving's performance, stating, "He's born for these situations. He’s born for the clutch situations, so we just get the ball to him."

Team Dynamics

Irving and Doncic each scored 33 points, making them the first starting backcourt duo to register at least 30 points in three playoff games over the past 50 seasons. Irving emphasized their collective focus on winning a second NBA title for the franchise, saying, "It doesn't mean anything if we don't win a ring together."

Quotes from Key Players

Doncic expressed his admiration for Irving's ability to perform under pressure, calling him "Mr Fourth Quarter." Irving added, "I think we have that poise now, and we're just showcasing our skill sets out there that a lot of teams have to guard."

Looking Ahead

The Mavericks are now one step closer to their goal of securing another NBA championship. As they continue their playoff journey, both Doncic and Irving remain focused on maintaining their high level of performance and teamwork.

The Mavericks' next game will be crucial as they aim to sweep the series and advance to the NBA Finals. Their ability to perform under pressure will be key to their continued success.